hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

a

: feeling an uneasy or painful sensation from lack of food : feeling hunger

b

: characterized by or characteristic of hunger or appetite

a wolf with hungry eyes

2

a

: eager, avid

hungry for affection

b

: strongly motivated (as by ambition)

hungry investors

a power-hungry politician

3

: not rich or fertile : barren

a hungry soil

hungrily

ˈhəŋ-grə-lē 

adverb

hungriness

ˈhəŋ-grē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of hungry

• starving
• starved

Examples of hungry in a Sentence

There are millions of hungry people throughout the world.

That girl is always hungry.

The prisoners' families were hungry for more information.

They were hungry to learn more.

Recent Examples on the Web

With a hungry ghost and a series of crippling self-esteem issues in tow, Saccharine leaves a lot for audiences to stomach. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 23 Jan. 2026

As sea ice thaws, the prospect of resource extraction will be appealing in an energy-hungry world where climate pragmatism is the new guideline. —Chloe Demrovsky, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The grassroots campaign to get Madigan an Oscar nomination for her delicious portrayal of a youth-hungry witch proved successful. —Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2026

Companies looking to connect data processing centers or other electricity-hungry facilities to the electric grid in Oklahoma could have their plans fast-tracked under a new framework from the SPP. —Chloe Bennett-Steele, StateImpact, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hungrig; akin to Old English hungor

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hungry

• go hungry

Kids Definition

hungry

adjective

hun·​gry ˈhəŋ-grē 

hungrier; hungriest

1

: feeling or showing hunger

2

: eager, avid

hungry for all the details

hungrily

-grə-lē 

adverb